News & Events

ACH Announces LINK Educational Program

September 11, 2008

Beginning this fall, Alliance Community Hospital (ACH) is offering an independent study program to juniors and seniors of Alliance High School (AHS) called â€œThe Link.â€<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

In an effort to help tomorrow's community leaders form the skills and gain the educational experience they need to lay the foundation for a promising future, ACH will welcome about 20 AHS students into the hospital for an innovative and interactive 18-week learning program.It will be offered once in the fall and once in the spring to separate groups of students.There are 11 students in the first class, which began with orientation classes at ACH on August 25th.

â€œThe Linkâ€ is a life skills curriculum that will provide practical, hands-on experience for students interested in pursuing a future in various fields of the medical profession.Based on the success of this inaugural session, the program with AHS will continue indefinitely and ACH may extend it to other area high schools in the near future.

â€œThis program is ideal for students looking to attend post-secondary or technical schooling or even those hoping to enter the workforce directly after high school graduation,â€ said Marcia Todd, Coordinator of Volunteer Services at ACH and a co-founder of the program.

â€œIt is especially helpful for individuals interested in pursuing careers in roles other than those traditionally associated with hospital employment, such as physicians or nurses,â€ said Tennille Jones-Lewis, a Guidance Counselor at AHS, another â€œLinkâ€ co-founder.

She explained that students participating in the program were selected based on academic criterion and personal accountability.Positions were limited, giving seniors first preference.

The students will rotate throughout various areas within the hospital, including Surgery, Imaging, Patient Registration, Medical Records, Nutritional Services and several nursing departments, just to name a few.

â€œStudents will come to the hospital during the time span equivalent to two class periods, three days per week for each session.During the other two class days, students will participate in the Volunteer program at the hospital for those two class periods,â€ explained Robert Laskey, a Guidance Counselor at AHS and another â€œLinkâ€ co-founder.

There will be several opportunities to learn important life skills through about a dozen courses that include: Importance of Worker/Employer Expectations, First Aid/CPR Certification and Term Paper and Resume Writing.

â€œ'The Link' is a win-win scenario for students and will motivate them to challenge themselves by affording them the rare opportunity of experiencing hands-on education in the hospital setting,â€ said Todd.

â€œStudents will gain confidence and practical knowledge while hospital staff members will get valuable departmental feedback from a fresh, young perspective,â€ she said.